Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has ap­pointed former Los Angeles City Council­woman Jan Perry as interim general manager to the renamed Eco­nomic Development Department, a department being created to replace the now de­funct Community Re­devel­opment agency.

Perry will oversee the creation of the city’s new Economic De­velopment Depart­ment.

“The job entails bringing under one roof all economic activities and adding in innovative strategies in not only bringing in new businesses but retaining businesses we have in our city,” Perry explained to the Sentinel during a recent interview.

Garcetti cited Perry’s accomplishments with the revitalization of downtown as the catalyst for his decision. Her work, he told reporters Tuesday, exemplifies the “kind of leadership and expertise” he wants to make the department “into a true economic engine” for Los Angeles.

“I’m excited that Jan Perry and I will be working closely together on getting people back to work and helping businesses open and grow,” he said.

“Mayor Garcetti and I share a passion for revitalizing neighborhoods and improving the quality of life for all Angelenos,” said Perry. “I am excited to support the mayor's vision to put Angelenos to work and to make it clear that Los Angeles is open for business.”

Perry’s appointment comes just one day after she officially termed out her ninth district council seat, now occupied by Curren Price. After her unsuccessful bid for mayor, she endorsed Garcetti who was engaged in a run off with Controller Wendy Greuel. Perry said she is looking forward to her pending duties.

“I’m looking forward to being very innovative in leveraging the access that we have to the programs that have worked and going beyond where we are already,” said Perry, who implied that she is up for the new challenge, armed with a keen understanding of “the complexities involved in bringing together development and people looking for job opportunities.”

Other appointments to the mayoral administration include Doane Liu as deputy mayor of City Services, overseeing Water and Power, Parks and Recreation, Transportation and Public Works. Also, Garcetti’s transition director, Rich Llewellyn, will be the Counsel to the Mayor, a role in which he will serve as the mayor's senior adviser and give legal advice, according to news reports.